Easing the burden for patients in pain

DR KERSHAW'S pain clinic is probably one of its least publicised services, yet it is now in its 30th year and provides invaluable help to patients who suffer daily discomfort because of their condition.

DR KERSHAW'S pain clinic is probably one of its least publicised services, yet it is now in its 30th year and provides invaluable help to patients who suffer daily discomfort because of their condition.

Founded by Dr Kevin Moore and Dr Finlay Campbell, anyone who requests help will receive free personal advice and treatment from in-house specialists to help control and treat the causes and symptoms of pain.

Maggie Vickers, consultant anaesthetist and secretary for the pain clinic, is probably one of the first faces that you will see should you ever need to attend.

She said: "Our aim is to help people improve their pain management and coping abilities, and to reduce anxiety through knowledge and understanding.

"The hospice is a marvellous place to be and all of our consultants do a fantastic job."

Pain consultants Dr Mike Gregory, Dr Mike Boyd and Dr Paul Cook run pain clinics every day of the week.

All three consultants volunteer time to the hospice, offering on site advice covering medical matters and other considerations free of charge. This gives essential back up to Dr Moore, the hospice medical director.

Every Thursday morning since 1984 Dr Kershaw's has also had the expertise of Dr Rao, a specialist in the eastern art of acupuncture, a therapy which has been proved to have positive pain-relieving effects.

Pat Need, a healthcare assistant who now helps with the running of the consultants' clinics, said: "I would reiterate what Maggie has said, and also add that our patients know and understand that we are always at the other end of a phone, should they ever need us."

In addition, there are two specialist sisters in the pain clinic, Janice Plant and Jayne Braithwaite, who run their own nurse clinics alongside the respective consultants.